Vandal Vibe Newsletter

Happy 2021, dear Vandals!

I hope this finds you and yours healthy and not too distressed by the events of the past week or so. Despite what is happening at the national level, I remain optimistic about the coming year. I am knocking on wood, crossing my fingers and throwing salt over my shoulder when I say 2021 will evolve into something better than last year. Let’s hope all of that works!

Superstitions aside, my optimism about our alma mater is deeply rooted in fact. There are so many amazing things happening in the classroom, in the lab, in the field and around the state, it’s easy to be proud and confident about our future. When you understand the magnitude of what the University of Idaho accomplished by providing in-person instruction last fall safely and successfully, it’s easy to trust our positive impact on students, alumni, the state and nation will continue.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Outside sources see and are recognizing the best parts of the institution we all love. And, our friends in University Communications and Marketing have gathered all of those wonderful proof points in a single spot.

Check out the new U of I Rankings, Statistics and Facts web site. The information is organized in a variety of categories, including academic excellence and value, and I can guarantee you will learn a lot.

It’s nice to be able to throw in a statistic or honor or ranking when we’re bragging about U of I, and now we have an easy, one-stop shop to get them. 2021 is looking brighter already.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 28 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with the VandalStore, virtual
Feb. 6-8 – Grand Targhee Vandal Ski Day, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar. Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

University Alum Joins California Academy of Sciences as Assistant Curator

Sarah Jacobs was fulfilling a dream to become a physician when a daffodil redirected her career path.

More interested in the human circulatory system than a plant’s xylem and phloem, Jacobs put off enrolling in undergraduate botany until her senior year in general science.

“I didn’t think I was going to be that interested,” said Jacobs, who earned a doctorate in biology at the University of Idaho. As part of the required botany course she dissected a daffodil and examined it under magnification.

“I had dissected a lot of other really gross things,” Jacobs said.

The dissected daffodil, however, stunned her.

Read More >>

Vandal Innovation Headed to the Space Station

A University of Idaho College of Engineering team is one of five groups selected nationwide for NASA’s Student Payload Opportunity With Citizen Science program to build an experiment that will fly to and return from the International Space Station. The team will spend spring semester researching how microgravity impacts the efficacy of polymers known to resist bacteria on Earth. Members include chemical engineering seniors Adriana Bryant, Niko Hansen, Hannah Johnson, Travis Lindsay, Roslyn McCormack and Kael Stelck.

Synthesizing two types of polymers, the team will test the ability of these molecules to resist bacteria on an aluminum alloy that is utilized for many high-contact areas throughout the International Space Station, such as hand rails and door handles.

As part of the NASA-funded project, teams are expected to involve K-12 students in their research. The U of I team also plans this spring to equip 240 Russell Elementary School third- through fifth-graders with experiment kits that include these bacteria-resistant polymers, to help test and validate their abilities.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Homecoming: Save the Date
Mark your calendars with a big star on October 3-9, 2021 for Vandal Homecoming Week. More details coming soon.

Vandal Business Directory
Whose business can you support in this new year? Check the over 150 listings of Vandal-owned businesses.
Learn More >>

Vandal Voyagers Travel Options
Vandals everywhere are thinking about where they will travel next. Browse our many options for national and international ventures.
Learn More >>

Conversations with Vandals Now Online
Catch our popular virtual series "Cup of Joe" recordings online and learn from some of our favorite Vandals.
Start Watching >>

Alumni News

College of Law alumnus and Idaho native Brady Hall ’03, has been appointed to serve as General Counsel for the Office of the Governor.
Read More >>

College of Science and Idaho Women's Basketball standout Mikayla Ferenz '19 has been named as an assistant coach for the Whitman College women's basketball program.
Read More >>

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Dear Vandals,

When the University of Idaho marks the 132^nd anniversary of its founding on Saturday, I hope we all pause to think about everything our alma mater has done for each of us, the state of Idaho, the region and nation. The lasting impact of its teaching, research and outreach on individual lives, business, science, industry and the state’s economy is impressive.

And what about the next 132 years? What does the University of Idaho’s pact with the people, state and region it serves look like between now and 2153? What challenges will we meet? What opportunities will we create? What dreams will we realize?

I don’t own a crystal ball, although what an amazing asset that would be! Despite that, I know and have confidence in the foundational work our alma mater has undertaken to set the stage for an even brighter and more prosperous future.

Under President Scott Green’s leadership, we have right-sized our budget – not an easy task, but a necessary one to ensure a stable base for the future. We have demonstrated we can pivot quickly to serve our constituents; the fact that we are able to safely deliver in-person classes during a pandemic is testament to that. Spurred on by the pandemic, we’ve invested in new technology and broadband capacity; the advances we’ve made in offering U of I’s transformational education wherever students may be living and working bode well for a future sure to be fueled by technology and distance learning.

Another foundational step forward is the engagement of the Vandal Family. We have more active alumni chapters than we’ve ever had. Just in the past year, hundreds of you have written more than 5,000 cards welcoming prospective students to join the Vandal Family. Thousands of you are proudly displaying the silver and gold in your classroom. Greek alumni are organizing to help better serve their chapters and the university. You have enthusiastically participated in our virtual programming – Cup of Joe, Thursday trivia and Wine Down Wednesdays. The unwavering support of Vandal alumni always has been and always will be critical to the university’s success.

Whatever the next 132 years bring, the university is positioned to tackle it with intelligence, energy and tenacity. There’s nothing like a strong foundation to inspire hope and optimism.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 28 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with The VandalStore, virtual
Jan. 29 – Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala, virtual
Feb. 6 – Grand Targhee Vandal Ski Day, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Feb. 9 – Cup of Joe with Don Shelton, virtual
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 20 – Bogus Basin Vandal Ski Day, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 24 – Gourmet Tailgate Cooking Class, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Vandals Deliver A Life-Saving Gift

Engineering, WWAMI medical students build assistive CPR device to help more users, and those with disabilities, successfully perform CPR

For Megan Boll, being a successful physician is about building trust.

“There’s no way to effectively treat a patient if they don’t trust you,” Boll said. “One way to build that up is through one-on-one interactions.”

A second-year medical student in the Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program, Boll uses a wheelchair, has limited motion in her arms and performs fine motor skills with a bionic glove. A spinal cord injury that caused impairment in all four quadrants of her body is also what got her interested in pursuing medicine.

Read More >>

Vandal Explorer Series: Glacier Surge in Alaska

After a decade of relative stability, Turner Glacier in southern Alaska shifted from a tortoise to a hare in 2020. It now scoots along at 65 feet a day instead of 3 feet a day. An abrupt, 10-fold increase in a glacier’s speed is referred to as glacial surge.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Pride Your Ride
By selecting a Vandal license plate, you chose to support student scholarships.
Learn More >>

Grow the Gold
Nominate a future student and they will receive engaging, targeted U of I materials to jump-start their college journey toward a meaningful career and lifelong success.
Learn More >>

Vandal Ski Days
Break out your silver and gold when you hit the slopes this season. U of I Alumni Association board members and local chapter leaders are set to greet you at several ski hills in February. Stop by and pick up a complimentary neck gaiter.
Learn More >>

Alumni News

College of Engineering graduate Michelle Reba '08 earns the 2020 USA Rice Sustainability Award recognizing her leadership and research in sustainable rice production.
Read More >>

Boise lawyer Andrew Brassey '74, '77 received the Excellence in Legal Defense award by the Idaho Association of Defense. He is recognized for his 40-plus year career, serving with professionalism, civility and a genuine approach.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

Serving the Vandal Family is a privilege I never take for granted, and one of the best parts is working with other Vandals investing their time, talent and treasure in our alma mater.

U of I alumni are writing cards to prospective students and nominating potential new Vandals through the Grow the Gold program. They are serving on the Greek Alumni Council. They are organizing alumni chapter events in their local areas – virtual now, but in-person soon.

One of the most active groups serving our fellow Vandals is the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors. They represent a wide range of ages, graduation dates, academic areas, professions and interests. They hail from throughout Idaho and other Vandal-rich areas of the country. The one thing they all have in common is a deep fondness for and commitment to the University of Idaho.

In the past several years, this board has helped to grow and support the alumni chapter system, served as a sounding board for the work of the Office of Alumni Relations as well as the university at large, and perhaps most importantly, found a way to support the new ICCU Arena and establish a formal Alumni Club in that new facility without depleting Association resources. Amazing work!

Last week, the board welcomed five more stellar Vandals to serve. Please join me in congratulating the newest members of the U of I Alumni Association Board of Directors:

• Mark Blickenstaff, ’16, Movement & Leisure Science, Castle Rock, Colorado
• Jake Carlson, ’13, Finance and Operations Management, Chicago, Illinois
• Erin Jessup, ’05, ’10, Engineering, Pullman, Washington
• Melissa Lowther, ’08, Accounting, Eagle, Idaho
• Andrew Morgan, ’15, Finance, Seattle, Washington

I appreciate the willingness of all alumni who choose to “give back” to an institution that has given all of us so much. There’s no better way to stay connected or reconnect than to serve.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 12 – Valentine's Day Paint Night, virtual
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 20 – Bogus Basin Vandal Ski Day, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 24 – Gourmet Tailgate Cooking Class, virtual
Feb. 25-27 – Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
Feb. 27 – Vandal Football Pregame, virtual
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson '98, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.  

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Distinguished Professor Celebrates 60 Years of Chemistry Research at U of I

University Distinguished Professor Jean’ne Shreeve celebrated 60 years with the University of Idaho chemistry department Feb. 1, a milestone that — along with Shreeve’s accomplishments — is a tough act to follow.

“Dr. Shreeve has had an illustrious career at the university,” said Ginger Carney, dean of the College of Science. “Her impact is far-reaching.”

Hired in 1961 by Malcolm Renfrew, who headed the department of physical science and for whom a campus building is named, Shreeve chaired the chemistry department for 14 years. She also served as the university’s vice president for research for 12 years.

For much of her career, Shreeve’s research focused on synthesizing compounds which contain fluorine, an extremely reactive element that can be used in rocket fuel oxidizers.

Read More >>

HAUS Builds the Way
Interdisciplinary Student Team Finds Solution to Construction Woes

A University of Idaho student team that worked with construction professionals to solve costly and labor-intensive industry hurdles earned $10,000 for its first-place win during the 2020 Hacking for Homebuilding reverse pitch-style competition.

The competition, hosted by Boise State Venture College, challenged students to find solutions to construction issues.

Read More >>

Powering the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals
Watch the YouTube Video >>

Through the University of Idaho's cybersecurity program and our 30-year partnership with global power systems leader Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, our students receive world-class experiences in the cybersecurity field.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Print and mail Vandal-tines
It's almost Valentine's Day, and we're giving you the perfect opportunity to share love with dear ones near and far. Send a snail-mail hug to your Vandal-tine with a print-and-send postcard.
Print Now >>

Baby Booties
Submit your new family addition to Class Notes to receive these complimentary kicks and a Future Vandals certificate.
Learn More >>

Vandal Ski Days
Break out your silver and gold when you hit the slopes this season. U of I Alumni Association board members and local chapter leaders are set to greet you at several ski hills this winter. Stop by and pick up a complimentary neck gaiter.
Learn More >>

Alumni News

College of Engineering graduate David Oliver '18 received the Idaho Falls Community Spirit Award recognizing community figures for contributions to the city.
Read More >>

Riley Haun '20, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences graduate, topped a field of 121 entries to win the Explanatory Reporting Award from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Congrats, Riley!

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

If the Lionel Hampton School of Music had a slogan, it should be something like “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Or “necessity is the mother of invention.” Or “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Every one of these describes what the school’s faculty and staff have been living for the past year.

When in-person classes resumed last fall at our alma mater, music faculty moved to teaching under tents on the tennis courts outside the Administration Building. They were able to continue the one-on-one instruction so critical to music majors, but still socially distance.

When there was no way to safely hold the traditional holiday concert in person, Director Spencer Martin '99 and members of the Sound of Idaho Vandal Marching Band channeled their inner percussionist. Using nothing but plastic cups and percussion instruments, they donned their masks and Santa hats and created a one-of-a-kind performance that helped all of us celebrate the season a little more joyfully.

And, now, with pandemic restrictions still in place, the School of Music has found a way to hold the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival virtually. Since the beginning of this month, registered schools have been participating in online workshops with professional jazz musicians and vocalists. Schools submitted performance videos for the juried competition, and student musicians will work with festival adjudicators via Zoom throughout the festival.

Starting tomorrow, we all can enjoy concerts from some of the best in jazz today and hear from those who will be the best of jazz tomorrow.

In all of these situations, the easy thing would have been to say it can’t be done and cancel. The Vandal thing to do, though, was to find a way to make it happen and then use all available tools to make it happen well. That flexibility and resilience is but one of many reasons the Lionel Hampton School of Music is ranked among the top three music schools in the country. Congratulations, and thank you for making “the show must go on” more than just a slogan!

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 25-27 – Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
Feb. 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. EWU, virtual
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson '98, virtual
March 4 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with Latah County Vandal Boosters, virtual
March 6 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. UC Davis, virtual
March 6 – Vandal Ski Day, Girdwood, Alaska
March 11 - All 1960s Grads Call, virtual
March 13 – Vandal Football Pregame at Northern Arizona, virtual
March 17 – St. Paddy's Day Trivia, virtual
March 23-34 – GradFair, virtual
March 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. S.Utah, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

For the latest info about VSF events website.

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Alumni Board Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Andrew Morgan '15, newly appointed to the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors. He will represent the mid-west region.

Degree/major(s): B.S. Finance, B.S. Psychology
Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Q1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class and why? Davis Investment Group in the College of Business and Economics. This class allowed students to learn through experience and collaboration with other students.

Q2. How did U of I prepare you for your career? U of I prepared me to become a well-balanced individual and to always stay curious.

Q3. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association? I want to give back to the school that gave so much to me.

Q4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Magdy Noguera, associate professor of financial in CBE. She was always willing to make time to answer questions and give advice on career planning.

Q5. Share a treasured Vandal memory, either from when you were a student or after graduating. I remain amazed at how willing fellow Vandals are to go out of their way to connect and help each other. It’s really a great community.

Like Father, Like Son (and grandson)

Bill Thurston did not set out to be a doctor like his father and grandfather. Now, he’s proud of that shared connection.

“Dad never pushed me toward medicine,” Bill said. “But when I started to give it serious consideration, he told me ‘If it’s something you want to do, it’s a very fulfilling career.’”

Bill’s grandfather, Walter Dyce Thurston, M.D., practiced family medicine in St. Maries, idaho for 40 years. His father, Rick Thurston, M.D., retired from medicine in his hometown of St. Maries in 2018 after 27 years.

Bill and his father not only share genetics and careers as doctors, they share alma maters, as well. Both have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho – ‘13 and ’74, respectively – and as of May 2021, both have earned their M.D. through the WWAMI Medical Education Program at U of I.

Read More >>

Wildfire Smoke Impact

The increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires the past 20 years has prompted studies on the impact of wildfire smoke exposure to human health. But little research has been done on the effects of wildfire smoke to livestock. A new University of Idaho study is starting that conversation.

Ashly Anderson, an animal science graduate student in the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, is working with Assistant Professor Amy Skibiel and in collaboration with Associate Professor Pedram Rezamand, to look at how poor air quality due to wildfires impacts health and production of dairy cattle.

“We’re just starting to uncover the effects in humans, so livestock and other animal species have taken a back seat to that,” said Anderson. “We haven’t really begun to look at the effects in livestock. It’s not just dairy cattle that there aren’t results. Most animal species don’t have quantified effects of smoke exposure.”

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

The Office of Alumni Relations hosts virtual pregame events 45 minutes prior to each kickoff during the spring season. Let's rally together with special guests, beverage recipes and tailgate-ready recipes.

RSVP Now >>

As a service to our Vandal Family, U of I offers free planning guides for charitable giving in your will or estate plan. This valuable information can help you take care of your loved ones and establish your legacy with the non-profit causes you care most about.

Get Resources >>

Alumni News

Moscow principal Brian Smith '05 received Idaho's prestigious Gem award for his leadership at the elementary school level.
Read More >>

Cynthia Yee-Wallace '00 and '03 graduate of the College of Law was appointed District Judge to the Fourth Judicial District Court by Gov. Brad Little in January.
Read More >>

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